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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Launched September 2011
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax Q-S1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are offered by Pentax. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the RZ18 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the RZ18 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") possess different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The RZ18 was unveiled 3 years before the Q-S1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the RZ18 matches up against the Q-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Pentax Q-S1

 RZ18 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Pentax RZ18

 Q-S1 RZ18 
LaunchedAugust 2014September 2011Newer by 35 months

Common features in the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax Q-S1

 RZ18 Q-S1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax RZ18 enjoys exterior dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Pentax RZ18 and Pentax Q-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the RZ18 against the Q-S1.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the RZ18 and Q-S1 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions purely by viewing technical specs. The picture here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the RZ18 and Q-S1.

As you can tell, both cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The RZ18 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax RZ18 will provide you with more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged RZ18 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
36
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
46
focusing manually
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Street photography info
Pentax Q-S1 Street photography info
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (203 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Sports photography information
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography information
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Travel photography features
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography features
71
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (450mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
60
lighter than others (203g)
flash built-in
bad battery (250 shots)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ18 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
49
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
bad battery (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ18 Vlogging advice
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging advice
30
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (178g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (203 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
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Pentax RZ18 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ18 and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax Optio RZ18Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio RZ18 Pentax Q-S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-09-12 2014-08-04
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-450mm (18.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 4cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 2.80 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 178 grams (0.39 lbs) 203 grams (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $210 $250